Subject: Real-World Elements in Fantasy and Sci-Fi with Lewis Jorstad ❤️

Fiction Writers, Tools and Events to Feed Your Creative Soul

🚀 Specializing in supporting science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers. 🐉



Real-World Elements in Fantasy and Sci-Fi with Lewis Jorstad ❤️



podcast highlight:


This week's How To Write The Future podcast episode:


Ep. 138: Building Authentic Stories: Real-World Elements in Fantasy and Sci-Fi with Lewis Jorstad


https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2025/02/03/building-authentic-stories-real-world-elements-in-fantasy-and-sci-fi-with-lewis-jorstad/


Read the rest of this newsletter for thoughts on the current AI tools, upcoming events, more about this week's podcast, resources from Writer's Fun Zone blog, and more!


❤️


This email uses lots of images because images are fun! You may need to click to open the full email or read online.

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

Hi Friend,

I have mixed feelings about the use of AI, particularly as someone living in a capitalist society.


While I didn't create this economic system, I must navigate within it, just like everyone else.


When it comes to AI, I acknowledge the valid concerns about its exploitation of artists' work.


I do also recognize that all art has historically built upon previous creations.


While I'm uncomfortable with many of the ways how AI has been developed and deployed, I recognize it as another tool in our digital workspace - similar to spell-checkers, grammar tools, and search engines.


All of those tools save us time, help us polish our work, and bring us resources.


We still have agency over how we use such tools.


Rather than simply accepting or rejecting AI wholesale, I believe in understanding both its benefits and drawbacks.


We live in a complex world where these tools exist, and while I may not fully endorse the system that created them, I believe in empowering ourselves through education about AI’s responsible uses and potential misuses.


Like any other writing tool, once you know what it is and what it's good for, then you can decide if you want to bring it into your writing toolkit it or not.


This AI Writing Summit 2.0 is one of those opportunities. You're invited to check it out.


If you do want to investigate for yourself, then start with the blueprint.


You can click on the image of use this link: https://bethbarany.com/AIblueprint2


🚀


Feb. 17-21, AI Writing online Summit 2.0 -

You can get lots of tips here in the Blueprint.


Or use this link:


https://bethbarany.com/AIblueprint2


  • I've shared some of my thoughts above about the use of the AI tools available to us. I'm open to hearing yours.


More events -- You're invited! Join us!


❤️


Feb. 27, 4:15 – 6:45pm PT/7:15-9:45 PM ET, Heart-Centered Marketing For Fiction Writers: How To Develop And Sustain Your Author Presence and Sell Your Books (Without Social Media) workshop.

$39.

Sign up here: https://www.free-expressions.com/writing-success-series (Search BARANY to jump to this workshop.)


  • In this hands-on workshop, we’ll cover the core principles of heart-centered marketing so you can tailor marketing strategies to your life to sell books to readers and to agents and editors.

🎬


March 15, 4-7pm, Film Mixer and Fundraiser, Oakland, CA. Save the date!


Get your ticket here or use this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-it-happen-film-mixer-fundraiser-tickets-1227066221099


📚


March 29, "Enhance your Scenarios with Fiction Writing Tools" workshop, Benicia, CA. Details forthcoming.


😻


April 30, Hosting Gala Russ "Writing the Romantic Subplot" online workshop. Details coming later.


❤️

On to the weekly podcast...

Building Authentic Stories: Real-World Elements in Fantasy and Sci-Fi with Lewis Jorstad

“I really enjoy leaning on real world history to write my stories.” – Lewis Jorstad


I'm talking with bestselling author and editor Lewis Jorstad about how to incorporate real-world elements into your speculative fiction stories. We discuss drawing from historical events and share practical advice about crafting compelling fiction that feels authentic while maintaining that crucial suspension of disbelief.



To listen or read this episode's transcript, go here (Writer's Fun Zone):



The How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace.


Enjoy!


Next in Ep. 139, I talk to award-winning author and tutor Leon Conrad about story structure and creativity.


Stay tuned on How To Write The Future podcast. 

(All previous episodes listed here.)


Like/Subscribe/Share/Review

Wherever you listen to your podcast, if you're so moved, please Like, Subscribe, or Share the How To Write The Future podcast.


YouTube!


And now How To Write The Future podcast is on YouTube here!


Please subscribe.


We now have 336 subscribers. Thank you! Help us get to 400!


Thanks! And since we have an international listenership: Merci , Muchas Gracias, Obrigada, Prego, Arigatō


❤️


Student Upcoming Events!


Fellowship of the Pen Writing Sprints

2nd and 4th Sundays

Next sprint: Feb. 9, 10am PT/1pm ET

Gather on Zoom to check in and write for 2 20-minute sprints. 

-- I email you day-of and I post reminders in Fellowship of the Pen Facebook group. Click to join Fellowship of the Pen group, if you haven't already.



Next Monthly Q&A Office hours for Barany School of Fiction students

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, 11am PT

-- I send reminder the day before and the day of.


Happy Writing!



Best,

Beth


PS. Thank you to everyone who signed up for a Discovery Call. I look forward to talking with you soon.


If you'd like to have a Discovery Call to explore working together, sign up here: https://calendly.com/bethbarany/discovery-call-with-beth-barany


I have one more opening in February, as my calendar tends to fill up. I am also a working writer, so must block off time for that!


❤️



When you're ready to work together, here's some more ways we can do that:


😁 Essential Character Traits Workbook

  • For fiction writers: planning tools to develop your main characters, secondary characters, and antagonists.


📚 Start (or Finish!) Your Novel 1-1 Mentorship Program

  • Go from sparkling idea to solid book plan so you can write your novel with confidence.

❤️ 12-month small group mastermind program for Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers!

  • Unleash Your Story's Potential: Transform Your Draft into a Publish-Ready Masterpiece!

 


🌟 If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too. Thanks!




Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator


Creativity is the answer. 


bethbarany.com


I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too! 


Author of *Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure*
author.bethbarany.com


Award-winning science fiction & fantasy novelist.

___________________________


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Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.


She specializes in helping writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers. 

Here be the legalese: In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks includes affiliate links to trusted partners. Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. Thus endth the legalese.

live in the territory of Huichin, part of the stolen land of the Chochenyo Muwekma Ohlone, the successors of the historic and sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County, in Oakland, California, the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern Hemisphere. Earth.


The Solar System. → Carina–Sagittarius Arm in the Milky Way galaxy. Milky Way subgroup → Local Group → Local Sheet → Virgo Supercluster → Laniakea Supercluster → Local Hole → Observable universe → Universe.


*

I stand with people of Ukraine and all peoples 🎗️ in their fight for freedom from oppression and the right to self-determine. Yes, all peoples. Not just some.



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